When the dream is in sight
When March came, and the freshly released script was placed on Levi's desk, Clark and Michael sitting beside him showed quite satisfied smiles. Bob, who contributed the most to the script, looks at this script with a little bit of reluctance and pride.
"Unexpectedly, we were really able to produce the script in such a short time." Bob's expression was somewhat disbelieving, "Now, we finally have an explanation for ABC. This script will definitely satisfy them."
The script has already been produced: the skeleton, story, and style are all made according to Levi's ideas, and the character relationships, dialogues, and character settings are all done by Bob. The hired professionals provide the crew with the cases, materials, and professional skills, though the core team, Levi, Bob, and Clark, do the work of setting these. For this work, they have paid a lot. They were all overjoyed with the completion of the work.
Levi looked at several of his friends, he could see their joy, and he knew why they were happy: For him, CSI was an idea he plagiarized, and it didn't touch too much. For them, this TV series is their painstaking effort, little by little condensed into shape. Seeing that they have put in enough hard work and created a good enough script, how can it not make these friends happy?
Especially Bob—he was the one who questioned the most when the script was being written. He also contributed the most to the scripts he created. This script is a product of his meticulous creation. How could he not be ecstatic when he saw the results of his work?
"Yeah, I didn't expect we would finish the script so quickly. When you said you wanted to finish quickly a few days ago, I thought you were drinking too much." Bob spoke to Levi, his expression was a little embarrassed, and he knew that it was not right to say so, "Don't blame me; you also know that you have said many times before that you have to work hard, but the results all prove what you said. It's just that I drank too much, disbelieved you, and it's not without reason..."
"I understand your thoughts, but please remember that I am no longer the same as I used to be and have fundamentally changed. "
Levi smiled at this: Of course, he is different from before.
"I believe you. You have not been drunk, touched drugs, go to parties, or found a woman for almost a month—this is definitely not the old you." Bob smiled slightly, "If shooting a failed movie can bring such a big change to you, we should have failed a long time ago."
Is it strange not to drink, take drugs, or find a woman for a month? This made Levi laugh, dumbfounded, and made him understand why little Levi has never made any achievements. Only a few geniuses can do an excellent job while eating, drinking, and having fun. Whether it's a movie or a TV series, they can do an excellent job, no matter which career. Geniuses are always very few. It is not easy to learn the absurdity of a genius, and it is not easy to understand the key points of those ideas. It is not so easy to create achievements.
"Nick, I'm thrilled that you were able to make such a change." Bob flipped through the script in his hand again. He couldn't put this new script down quite a bit, "I always knew that you were a genius; you are different, your pursuit of art is rare, and I am pleased that you can finally display your talent. Our works will be very popular, and your name will definitely attract attention."
"It's just a TV drama script, don't be so proud." Having said that, Levi also showed a smile: he is not the little Levi obsessed with artistic pursuits until he is unsuccessful, but his desire for success is as good as anyone. "Why not be proud? I can't see why this TV series will not be successful. if it is successful, it will greatly change our future." Bob raised his head. He was slightly dissatisfied with Levi's contemptuous attitude. In Levi's view, this script is not particularly noteworthy: it's just a TV drama script, and compared with a movie script, there is a difference in level. However, in Bob's opinion, this script has condensed all his efforts, and he does not allow others to evaluate it like this.
"Maybe you think it's just a TV series and don't need much work; just write and write. But do you know how much this TV series is to me?" Levi didn't say a word; he knew how much pressure Bob was under, and he also knew what it would mean to Bob if this TV series could be filmed.
In Hollywood, as a small screenwriter, you can get a salary of 2000-3000 US dollars per episode if you participate in creating TV scripts. To make more money, you must write better things and constantly improve your status in the screenwriting team. For a TV series, the primary screenwriter can get a salary of about 30,000 dollars per episode, which is about ten times that of the small screenwriters. For everyone, it has great significance. Bob is not the worst screenwriter, but his income is about 5000 dollars for one TV series episode. A TV series has 24 episodes a year if it is produced continuously, and after a year, Bob can get an annual salary of 120,000 dollars in Hollywood. Such a yearly salary is nothing. This income does not seem low, but small screenwriters do not always have jobs to do.
For Bob, the salary is not high when he has a job, and when he has no job, he must wait for opportunities at home, which is also common. Now, suppose the creation of this drama is successful. In that case, Bob, as this drama's prominent screenwriter, will get a significantly increased salary, a vastly improved status, and a stable income, which are very important to him. If the TV series is successful, his income will be at least 700,000 a year, not to mention the sales of DV and videotapes of the TV series. According to the contract, the screenwriters would get at least 3% of the share. The total income may be in the millions.
For a 24-episode TV series, the producers' income can be in the tens of millions. Even if a TV series often has five or six producers sharing the money, the income will not be lower than that of the screenwriter. Sometimes, the lead screenwriter is also the producer, which is the current case.
For a person with an annual salary of 100,000 dollars, what is in front of him is an opportunity with a yearly salary of perhaps millions or even tens of millions. For such an opportunity, how could he allow others to ignore it? What reason does he not have to do well?
"Until I finished writing this and saw the final script, I was not sure what my future would be like. Now I am very confident. With such a good script, this drama will definitely be produced. As long as the TV series we will film is broadcast, the income, the future, and everything will be fine."
Bob flipped through the script; his tone was quite emotional. In Hollywood, the golden age of a screenwriter is 20-40 years old. No matter how old the screenwriter is, he will likely be eliminated if he can't keep up with the times and doesn't understand what people want to watch. Bob is young, but he has to think about the future. For him, success not only means life but also means hope.
Everyone who comes to Hollywood has their own dreams. They struggle to survive in Hollywood, fighting for every opportunity to make their dreams come true one day. Bob has worked hard enough, and his dream is close at hand. Why should he not be excited about it?
"This is just the beginning, Bob." Levi patted his partner, seeing the joy of Bob's dream coming true, and in his heart, he could also be happy for his friend, "It's just the beginning. If we write a good script, we can have income if this script is put into production. After we have income, we can shoot the movies we want. Bob, believe me, we can develop our company from a small company like it is now to a top production company in Hollywood within three to five years. In the future, if our company develops smoothly, we can also become the real top big company in Hollywood, and then..."
"You're dreaming again." Clark interrupted Levi from the side.
Levi did not refute but laughed: Maybe, in the eyes of many people, this is indeed a dream, but dreams can come true.
"Okay, you two, don't worry about life changes anymore. The manuscript is finished. Our manuscript is magnificent. ABC will definitely pass the review of the movie. Now we should think about the next steps. We are about to make money; shouldn't we celebrate it? How about having a party? There are plenty of reasons for this party."
Michael's words brought several people back to reality. Levi and Bob looked at each other but shook their heads, "Forget it, Michael. Aren't you tired from working continuously for the past few days? I don't have the energy to hold parties anymore."
"Have a few sips of wine, and after recovering..."
"Hey, I said, it's good for you to become motivated, but don't become as boring as Bob." Clark behind him also pushed him, "How about going out for a while?"
"I don't think it's possible..." At this time, the door was pushed open. Alexander walked in and spread his hands to several people, "Guys, there is news; you have to listen to it: Jack is back. Nick, you go and explain to him why you didn't give him a character."
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